Going All Goose Bumps

   

Ben Ledi

     Where the highlands of Scotland meet the lowlands, lies a small town called Callander. It's a town which for me holds fond memories, as my grandmother used to take me here during school holidays.


Riverside Teith

    It's a place I love to visit when the air has a crisp, coldness about it and the sky is azure blue. So, this week when I made the short trip there, I certainly wasn't disappointed. Sitting on the edge of the River Teith,  the Callander Crags (woodland) and Ben Ledi dominate the town's sky line.

Ben Ledi peeking through the woodland

    The thousands of tourists who stop here each year on their way to the Loch Lomond and Trossach's National Park, I'm sure will be captivated by the wonderful scenery.

Callander High Street

    The TV series Doctor Findlay's Casebook, an adaptation of of A. J. Cronin's novella, Country Doctor, was filmed here and was the perfect stand in for the author's fictional town of Tannochbrae. Its quaint tea shops, sweet shops, churches, country stores and book shop have made time stand still.

 

River Teith, Crags and Ben Ledi

    History and legend are the town's middle names and it's easy to imagine Rob Roy MacGregor, the famous Scottish hero of the 18th century roaming this area, as folklore tells us he did.

 

    Hopefully some of the photographs I've included in today's blog will make you want to call here some day and then you too can experience the goose bumps I do, every time I visit.

    Grey Heron on the banks of the Teith, watching, waiting 

   

   

   

 

Only One Chance

   

    How we are perceived by others in our everyday life is heavily influenced by the words that we speak. Whether it be a chat up line in our quest to capture the interest of a potential love, or a sales pitch in our job as a salesperson, the targeted recipient will either continue to interact with us, or walk away.

    In politics open debate is also encouraged; for example in Scotland at present this is high on the agenda because of the vote for independence that is being put to the people later in the year. The political parties are trying to put over their points of view, in a way that hopefully will sway the voter to their way of thinking.

    As in the case of an individual, political groups can realise their words haven't gone down well and may be able to recover the situation, by rephrasing what they have to say. But when an author puts his or her work out into the public domain in print, we only get one chance to hook the reader. Once it's out there, there is no going back. No chance to rephrase, if our words initially don't grab the attention of the reader. Happy writing and editing folks.

   

   



   

   

   

Doing it for the Girls

   

    Because it is International Women's Day tomorrow, Saturday March 8th, women will celebrated and debated throughout the world. Over a hundred years ago, women knew that uniting with their sisters would help their voices be heard.

    Whether campaigning for peace, celebrating women's successes, equality for women, education or a call to end sexual violence towards females; it's a day to recognise and appreciate the contribution women make to our global society.

    Showing solidarity with our fellow females is now easier than ever with the birth of social media, but nevertheless women still face struggles and this year the theme is "Equality for Women and progress for all."

    Let's hope that in another one hundred years, the struggles our gender face will have been eradicated and March 8th will solely be a day to honor women. But, for now we're just going to have to stand strong and keep doing it for the girls.


   

   

   

   

Rise Above

   

    Being nipped while standing in line, waiting to get into the classroom. Falling down onto your knees, when you're suddenly pushed forcefully from behind. Hearing nasty comments directed at you, that result in you wanting to hide in a darkened room, never to see the light of day again. A group of your peers, following you home from school in silence, scaring you near witless and finally receiving the anticipated slap when you least expect it.

    Bullying, is something that I encountered during many of my school years. Of course it's not an action that is solely experienced by children or teenagers, because we all know it happens in the adult world too. But if we educate our kids from an early age that it is not acceptable behaviour in our society, hopefully we can make life a bit easier for many. After all life throws enough problems at us, for sure.

    The reason I wanted to write about bullying today, is because I witnessed a situation last week in the airport on my way home from my vacation, that filled me with horror. Two young boys, one aged around five years, the other I would estimate eight years old were accompanied by four adults; a sight that at first I found neither unusual or disturbing.

    The two youngsters who were engaged in what seemed a game of rough and tumble, were most definitely brothers as they were two peas in a pod, except for one obviously being a little older. Two of the adults I assumed were the boy's parents, the other couple their grandparents and from the noise that the small party were making, they were in a boisterous mood.

    So, what made this group stand out from the crowd? Because, on nearing them I realised that the older of the two boys was kicking and punching his sibling violently. They were not playing any kind of game and there was no attempt by any of the adults in the group of four, to come to the aid of the exhausted, crying young victim. Only laughs, jeers and calls for the small boy to retaliate with violence.

    Now I got through my troubled school years with the help and support of my family totally unscarred. But, if this conduct is condoned and encouraged within this family unit, I cannot help but think this young boy may not be so lucky.

   

   

Full of Beans

   

    After a two week break I'm full of beans, meaning I'm feeling energetic and enthusiastic. Forgive me for sounding like a dictionary of idioms, but I didn't want there to be any misunderstandings as to what I'm on about.

 

   I want to thank you guys for keeping on reading, whilst I juggled my regular scheduling of posts around. This post is short and sweet, however  things will be back to normal as from Monday, March 3rd.

    So I hope you will join me then and don't forget to click on the side menu to check out my blog archives if you want to keep on reading.

Romantic Notions

Dunure Castle

    I find that when I visit some place new, especially if it has a historical past that my mind goes into overdrive. One such place was Dunure Castle in Ayrshire, sitting high above Ayr Bay, overlooking the Firth of Clyde. Just a short 5 mile drive from the town of Ayr on the west coast of Scotland, I found myself emerged into a world that Devil slaying fantasies are made of.

    The castle itself is now in ruins and has a play park next to it, but nevertheless I felt it could be easily the setting for a story of romance, tormented souls and murder. Bronte's, Heathcliff and Cathy or Shakespeare's, Romeo and Juliet would feel at home here.

    The backdrop of the Carrick Hills, the white horses riding high on the Firth of Clyde and thunderous sky cry out to be written about. The Kennedy Clan, called this place home and was there powerhouse in times gone by. Each large stone that remains in the building today must have a story to tell. However, as it refused to retell its secrets, I'll just keep the romantic notions it left me with, alive in my imagination to tell another day.

   

Togetherness

   
How long have we been together?

Maybe ten.

It's hard to think a way back then.

You walked into the room.

Was it your eyes? Was it your face?

I don't think it was one of those things,

I could put my finger on and outline trace.

I tried to avert my eyes, when you hovered near.

At that time it was only a dream,

 That you would ever become someone dear.

You finally came over, we chatted and danced.

My heart might as well with an arrow been lanced.

From that night forward,

We became a team.

Me the strawberries, you the cream.

It was one year on and the 14th February came,
The restaurant was picked, the table booked.

Not one detail had been overlooked.

The wine was poured, the waiter smiled,

I couldn't help but feel like a child.

Before the kitchen served the main,

I hoped my excitement hadn't been in vain.
You took my hand,
You stumbled over your words.
But that didn't matter, I said Yes.
 So now and forever there is nothing but togetherness.